Latest Releases
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Significant Federal Funding to Improve Highway 5 in Carver County
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to improve Highway 5. The resources, provided through USDOT’s Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, will widen the roadway from two to four lanes between Chanhassen and Victoria. “Rebuilding our infrastructure is critical for families, workers, and businesses,” said Klobuchar. “Highway 5 is a key route in Carver County, but it does not adequately serve the growing population, leading to safety hazards and traffic jams. This infrastructure project will reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and create good jobs.” “If we’re going to build an economy that works for everyone, then we need to prioritize investments in critical infrastructure, like highways, that connect people with opportunities all across the state,” said Smith. “This grant is the first step to improving Highway 5 to best serve Carver County.” The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program provides communities across the country with funding for local projects that improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas and bolster connectivity, safety, and reliability. The program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law in 2021. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides resources for improving roads, bridges, public transportation, water infrastructure, and broadband in Minnesota and across the country. ###
Klobuchar, Smith, Fischbach, and Entire Minnesota Congressional Delegation’s Legislation to Rename Roseau Post Office in Honor of Floyd B. Olson Signed into Law
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07) announced their legislation to rename the Roseau Post Office after Floyd B. Olson, the Roseau Postmaster of 25 years, has been signed into law. Mr. Olson served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 and was an active member of the Roseau County Historical Society Board, Roseau County Fair Board, Rose Free Lutheran Church Board & Men’s Club, and the Postmaster’s Association. Mr. Olson passed away in 2017, after decades of service to his community and country. “Floyd B. Olson was the Roseau Postmaster for over two decades, a veteran, and a beloved member of the community,” said Klobuchar. “With this legislation now signed into law, the Roseau Post Office will be named in his honor, ensuring Mr. Olson’s memory continues to live on.” “Floyd B. Olson dedicated his life to serving his country and giving back to his neighbors in Roseau – as an Army veteran and as Postmaster for 25 years,” said Smith. “Renaming the Roseau Post Office after him honors his contributions to the community and lasting legacy in the city of Roseau.” “Floyd Olson was a staple in the Roseau community,” said Fischbach. “He was a man of faith, a family man, and a true public servant. I can think of no better person to dedicate this Post Office to and I am so glad the President has signed this bill into law.” The bill was co-sponsored by the entire Minnesota delegation, including Representatives Brad Finstad (R-MN-01),
Smith, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Allow Use of U.S. Foreign Assistance for Abortion Care Oversees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) joined a group of her colleagues in introducing legislation that would allow U.S. foreign assistance to be used to provide the full scope of comprehensive health care, including safe and legal access to abortion services. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, led by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), would repeal the 1973 Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act and clarify that under U.S. government policy, safe abortion care is a critical component of comprehensive maternal and reproductive care. “Abortion care is a fundamental component of comprehensive reproductive health care and
Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on Jessica Looman’s Nomination to Lead Key Division at Department of Labor
Washington D.C. [7/27/2022] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement on President Biden nominating Jessica Looman to lead the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor, which is responsible for enforcing several of the nation’s key labor laws. “I’m very glad that President Biden has nominated Jessica Looman to permanently lead the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor. This is a critical post and I’m confident that she will fairly enforce our nation’s minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws. I have worked closely with Jessica for years in Minnesota and
Senators Smith, Heinrich Introduce Clean Energy Jobs Act To Boost Energy Saving Opportunities, Career Access For Women And Minorities
WASHINGTON [7/27/2022] – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs Act to meet growing energy workforce needs and create a comprehensive strategy at the Department of Energy (DOE) to increase participation among women and minorities throughout the industry. Energy jobs are some of the fastest growing occupations in America. From 2015 to 2019 the energy sector grew at twice the rate as the overall economy. In the coming years, there will be an increasing demand for trained workers, particularly in renewable energy, energy storage, and electrification. The Clean Energy Jobs Act helps
Sen. Tina Smith, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation Outlawing Discrimination From Financial Institutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Tina Smith (D-MN) – a member of the Senate Banking Committee – joined a group of Senators in reintroducing legislation to prohibit discrimination by banks and other financial institutions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Fair Access to Financial Services Act would close a loophole in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While the law outlawed discrimination in certain places of public accommodations, it does not cover banks and other financial institutions. This legislation, led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would ensure that all people receive
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